Veronica "Ronnie" Leech

Veronica “Ronnie” Leech, age 94, of Mankato, died peacefully Thursday, September 25, 2025.

Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 4, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mankato. Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Private family interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis at a later date. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ronnie was born April 3, 1931, in Minneapolis, MN, to George and Mary Ann (Romportl) Svobodny. She graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School, Minneapolis.

Ronnie was united in marriage to Don Leech on December 29, 1951, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Minneapolis. They were married 70 wonderful years.

Ronnie and family moved to Mankato in 1970 from Green Bay, WI. She started home day care which she ran for over 20 years taking care of many children in the Mankato area, including her own grandchildren.

Ronnie loved to sing. She was a charter member of the Sweet Adelines, founded the trio “Premium Blend”, a member of the St. John the Baptist Church Choir, and VINE with the “Divine Singers”.

She wrote many parodies which were sung at family gatherings, TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), and many important events. She organized family Christmas Caroling for nearly half a century.

Family was most important in Ronnie’s life and she cherished time with them. Ronnie loved to travel, give and get hugs, sing karaoke and was full of joy all the time. She brought the party with her wherever she went. She was loved by all who knew her.

Ronnie is survived by her 8 favorite children, Jim Leech, Mary (Gary) Chamberlain, John Leech, Jerry Leech, Joe (Ronda) Leech, Tom (Linda) Leech, Mike (Lee Ann) Leech, and Judi (Bob) Smith; 19 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Ronnie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; daughter-in-law, Dawn Leech; two grandchildren, Jerry Leech and Rene Chamberlain; great-grandchild, Grayson Fox; siblings, Fr. Al Svobodny, Gary (Helen) Svobodny, Mary (Joe) LeDuc, George (Mary Ann) Svobodny, Chuck (Bunny) Svobodny, and Joe Svobodny.

The Leech family would like to thank, The Pillars of Mankato, St. Croix Hospice, and St. John the Baptist Church for their compassion and loving care for Ronnie.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by

Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.